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Loveable Pocket Pets

Bonding

Your new little friend is scared. Bonding is a trust that you build with your
sugar glider over time. Here are some steps that will help you gain that trust
and love.

1. Move slowly when putting your hand in the cage. Fast movements only tend
to frighten.

2. Put a little honey, applesauce, yogurt, tapioca pudding or baby food fruit on your finger. Let
the sugar glider come to you and lick it off. Be sure not to let them lick it
all off or they will bite to get more as they do with the acacia and eucalyptus
trees for sap.

4. Be sure not to back off if you get nipped or if the sugar glider crabs at
you. If you do, the sugar glider will start to think it is the boss.

5. Don’t swat your glider if it misbehaves. This will only cause stress to
your pet. They do not respond to disciplinary measures. If tapped on the nose
for biting, for example, the glider will immediately become defensive and
aggressive. Patience is they only method that works when bonding with a sugar
glider.

6. Carry your glider around in a pouch or in your shirt pocket. They enjoy it
and so will you. They will look forward to this time with you.

7. The bonding process has no set time limits. Each sugar glider and owner
are individual. You may bond in as little as 1 week, or it may take up to 3
months for a complete bond. There are stages to bonding, and each day you should
see improvements.

8. Gliders can bond to more than one person. If you have two
gliders, they will bond to one another, and to you as well. You become a
member of their colony.

You are “officially” bonded when your sugar glider: 1) Doesn’t crab or
nip at you, 2) knows where home base (your pocket) is and goes there readily, 3)
prefers being on you as opposed to a stranger, and 4) jumps on your hand when
you reach into your pets cage.

Working with your glider and showing love and affection will bring you to
your goal sooner.Remember... Time...Patience...Consistency

Once your pet has completely bonded with you and is comfortable in its
surroundings, you can attempt to teach it to glide to you. Place your pet in a
location that is higher than your shoulder where it would have difficulty
getting down by any other route than by jumping to you and climbing down.
Encourage your glider to glide to you by showing it a treat in the palm of your
hand and then moving your hand further away.

Sugar gliders communicate through a variety of different sounds they
produce. Some of the sounds have been described as crabbing, barking,
clicking, chattering, hissing, shushing and crying. they have a very
distinct warning sound. You can click here
and listen to them.